PLAYBACK version 1.1
====================

September 1992


General description:
====================

The PLAYBACK program can load and play standard MIDIFILES.
It can adjust a lot of parameters to adapt the file to your
personal midi setup.

The program includes additional info about its usage and its
installation. Click on the INFO button on the main screen.


Major features:
===============

- PLAYBACK loads standard MIDIFILES. Both format 0 and 1 can be handled.
- Filters can be activated at loading to minimise memory usage.
- The program can handle up to 99 tracks.
- The loaded songs can be modified to be used with every MIDI device. The
  following (undo-able) modifications can be made per track:
  - MIDI channel;
  - Volume;
  - Event filters;
  - Program changes (presets can be set and mapped);
  - Notes (keys can be transposed and mapped).
- Key maps and program change maps can be created, saved and loaded.
- The tempo of the song can be modified.
- The modified song can be saved, allowing the MIDIFILE format to be
  converted.
- Events can be analysed in the event editor.
- PLAYBACK can be installed on the desktop to automatically load and
  play songs, when double clicked on a MIDIFILE.
- PLAYBACK can run from CLI and shells.
- PLAYBACK uses GEM.
- Program preferences can be set and will be loaded automatically at
  startup of the PLAYBACK program.


Required system:
================

The program will run on available atari computers,
with all current TOS (in ROM) versions:

ST/STE/MEGA STE/TT/FALCON

512kB computer memory is sufficient, but more is recommended.

The program has been tested on monochrome and color monitors.
However, the program has been written to work optimal with
medium (640*200) and high (640*400) resolution screens.
It will work on the new (higher) resolutions too, as long as
they allow (at least) 80 characters and 25 lines, using the
standard character size. Note that less characters and lines
will be used, due to the size of windows and alike.


Changes since version 1.0
=========================

Personnaly, the most important changes have to do with efficiency.
This means, that I have put quite some effort in making the program
easier to use and that MIDIFILES can be modified easier and faster
for adapting it to your MIDI setup.

A. ALL KNOWN AND REPORTED BUGS HAVE BEEN SOLVED

- Window scrolling works ok now.
- Filters in the maps ("--") do work ok now.
- Timer A will be re-set at program exit.
- Key signature is shown correctly now in the editor
- Few other little things.

B. SUPPORT OF NEW HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE

- Program runs in a window (preparation for MULTITOS).
- Bigger screens can be handled now.
- Program is compiled for all 68000-68030 processors.

C. NEW FEATURES

- Files can be saved.
- Converting MIDIFILE format is possible.
- Maps for program changes.
- MIDI channels can be converted at file load.
- Filters can be set for all tracks at once.
- More settings will be done automatically during MIDIFILE loading,
  to allow faster and efficiency adapting the song to your MIDI setup.
- The program allows preferences to be set:
  - Disabling "filter" question at file load.
  - Disabling "Are you sure" question at program exit.
  - Enabling the file selector to pop up at the start of the program.
  - Immediately start playing the song when a new song has been loaded.
  - Immediately exiting the program when the song has stopped (finished).
  - Few more.
- Every preference can be used as flag/argument when started from a CLI.
- Preferences and maps can be loaded automatically at startup.
- All buttons and settings can be manupilated during song playing too.
- Changing volume and program changes, will result in a midi event being sent.
- Number box handling has been improved, to allow faster changes.
- Few other little things.


Author:
=======

John Janssen
J.v.Deventerstraat 1
NL - 5911 DZ   Venlo
The Netherlands

Email: John.Janssen@atehv.bso.nl

Note that my email address will be out of order in the last months of 1992,
but will be back after that. You can always email the American point of
contact: cyclone@netcom.com


Happy playbacking...
